Rabbi Avraam Izchak HaCohen Kook (1865-1935) was one of the most influential and inspirational religious Jewish thinkers of the 20th century. Kook was a man who was humanistic in his philosophy. He preached for vegetarianism and was interested in the arts (he thought that Rembrandt was a tzadik, a righteous man), though his philosophy was deeply religious. He believed that the re-establishment of a Jewish state in the land of Israel had deep theological significance, a heavenly plan to bring ...

What do you recommend for that always-searching jazz fan who has heard everything? Maybe a CD by Hasidic New Wave (how's that for a category?) saxophonist/clarinetist/composer Greg Wall.The story of Ezekiel inspired Wall's latest offering, Later Prophets : Ezekiel ..."whose prophecy resurrecting dry bones after the destruction of the temple contains a great message of hope."Not to worry, though, if you aren't familiar with the traditional music used to chant the biblical prophecies that Wall draws ...

On Later Prophets , his third release as a leader, reedman Greg Wall continues to use traditional Jewish music as a starting point, as he has with Hasidic New Wave, but the complexion is altogether different. Traversing the diverse from an authentic ethnic style to Ayler-like freedom, from ambient work reminiscent of Mal Waldron’s work on Harold Budd’s The Pavilion of Dreams to subtle electronica, Wall weaves an intriguing and surprisingly accessible tapestry that is loosely based around the biblical ...

I grew up listening to my father's Jazz records and listening to radio. My dad was a musician for many years as a vocalist, bassist and drummer. His two uncles played in the Symphony of Reggio Calabria back in Italy

I grew up listening to my father's Jazz records and listening to radio. My dad was a musician for many years as a vocalist, bassist and drummer. His two uncles played in the Symphony of Reggio Calabria back in Italy. So music and jazz specifically have been a part of me since I was born. I love and perform in all styles of music from around the world. Improvisation in jazz is what drew me in, and still does as well as other genres that feature improvisation. A group of great musicians expressing themselves as one is the hallmark of great jazz and in fact all great music.